The downpour of rain brings a welcome relief to many parts of our country, with showers predicted to continue into the weekend. This will prompt many people to stay home and out of the unpleasant weather, but it shouldn’t keep you away from donating blood.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is calling on Group O and B donors to give blood at their nearest donor centre and help boost declining blood stocks.
“The rain brings a welcomed relief from the heat of weeks passed but its persistence could threaten our operations – resulting in low collections. This means that we will not be able to meet the minimum of 3 500 units collected daily,” said Thandi Mosupye, SANBS Senior Manager: Marketing and Communications. Rainy conditions often lead to the cancellation of mobile blood drives, which account for the majority of the blood units collected daily.
SANBS is appealing to donors that are due for donations to spare some time out of their day and give the gift of life. “We need your help to stabilise our stock levels, especially as we prepare for the festive season,” Mosupye added. She advised that donors could even donate during load shedding, as all SANBS donor centres are electrified during blackouts.
On Tuesday, 8 November, SANBS launched the Change a Life campaign that will educate donors about platelet donation. “Platelet donors are crucial in helping us to provide much-needed products for the treatment of patients with blood disorders, cancer, and organ recipients. Patients undergoing cancer treatment are highly dependent on regular platelet donations as part of their recovery,” Mosupye concluded. The conversation about platelet donation continues on SANBS’ social media pages.
With the help of donors, SANBS has been able to carry out the significant task of collecting blood to meet South Africa’s needs. Your unit of blood will give a needed boost to blood collections ahead of the upcoming December holidays. Mobile blood drives continue to run across the country. Visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 9031 to find a mobile blood drive or donor centre near you and give blood.